DEVELOPMENT FUNDING
Northern Ireland Screen supports the development of a diverse range of projects. We support fresh and innovative ideas that will connect with local and international audiences and attract critical acclaim. Northern Ireland Screen offers development funding in the following areas.
SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
SLATE DEVELOPMENT
NEW WRITER FOCUS
SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
We support the development of feature film and television drama scripts for individuals and companies. Please note funding for short film development is unavailable.
How much can I apply for?
Individuals: The maximum award for script development to an individual is £2,250. All individual awards are allocated exclusively through the New Writer Focus scheme, which is currently closed.
Companies: The maximum award for script development of one project to a company is £40,000 or 50% of the total development costs, whichever is the lesser amount.
The award will be made available over a series of stages and not in one lump sum. The completion of each stage to Northern Ireland Screen’s satisfaction is essential to enable an applicant to access the full award.
Northern Ireland Screen may award up to 75% on an initial development budget up to £10,000 but beyond the first £10,000 Northern Ireland Screen will not exceed 50% of the remaining development budget. For awards beyond £7,500 Northern Ireland Screen would expect to see cash match finance and confirmed market interest in the project.
Who can apply?
Northern Ireland Screen is interested to hear from Northern Ireland writers and writing teams, as well as Northern Ireland based companies or production companies based outside Northern Ireland who are working with Northern Ireland resident writers.
How do I apply?
Contact Ursula Devine, Development Executive or call +44 28 90 232444.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Project development funding is available to companies for feature film, television (all genres and including pilots) and interactive content. The fund specifically excludes development support for local television output.
How much is it?
90% of project budget for projects with a budget up to £10,000
75% of project budget for projects with a budget of over £10,000 and less than £20,000
50% of project budget for projects with a budget of over £20,000 up to a maximum of £100,000
All development awards are recoupable loans.
Who can apply?
Project development funding is available to independent production companies based in Northern Ireland and European production companies which have an office and staff based in Northern Ireland.
How do I apply?
Contact Jennifer Johnston, or call +44 28 90 232444.
SLATE DEVELOPMENT
Slate development funding is available to companies for 2 or more projects, which can be feature film, television (all genres and including pilots) and interactive content. The fund specifically excludes development support for local television output.
How much is it?
90% of project budget for projects with a budget up to £10,000
75% of project budget for projects with a budget of over £10,000 and less than £20,000
50% of project budget for projects with a budget of over £20,000 up to a maximum of £100,000
All development awards are recoupable loans.
Who can apply?
Slate development funding is available to independent production companies based in Northern Ireland and European production companies which have an office and staff based in Northern Ireland.
How do I apply?
Contact Jennifer Johnston, or call +44 28 90 232444.
NEW WRITER FOCUS 2020 – 2021
Northern Ireland Screen is now seeking feature film scripts to develop for its New Writer Focus scheme 2020-2021
Who can apply?
Only Northern Ireland resident writers new to feature film and long-form drama are eligible to apply. For the avoidance of doubt “writers new to feature film and long-form drama” in this context means a writer without a writing credit on a produced feature film or long-form drama.
This is a script development call; a producer and director are not essential at this stage.
What are we looking for?
Compelling stories with a unique or fresh perspective
Ambitious authored voices.
Stories with strong character journeys.
A range of art-house and commercial stories
Feature film projects only
Projects need not be limited by budget or genre.
What will scheme involve?
New Writer Focus will have 2 major components to the 8 month development scheme:
Writers Room
Individual project and writer development
How many projects will be selected?
Up to 4 scripts will be chosen for development between August 2020 and April 2021The selected writers will be eligible to apply for an individual writer award.
Deadline for receipt: 6pm, Thursday 28th May 2020
For more information, please visit: https://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/funding/development/
